Noticeboard

The practice has only got 5% sign up of online services and we need to get to at least 10%.

How to make an appointment

Please call our main switchboard number on 01268 542866 to book an appointment at our main practice or go online to our website www.knaresmedicalpractice.nhs.uk for information. Urgent cases are seen on the day. If your condition is non-urgent, you can expect to see a GP within two working days, though you may have to wait longer if you want to see a particular GP.

If you don’t need an appointment within two working days, you also have the option to book up to two weeks in advance if this is more convenient for you. Nurses based in our practice treat patients for a wide range of common conditions. You can expect to see a nurse within 7 working days and all of them are qualified to prescribe from a range of medicines. You can book up to a month ahead for clinics – please see the ‘services and clinics’ section.

What do I do in an emergency

If you need urgent medical advice during surgery hours, please phone the surgery on 01268 542866. Please be prepared to give some information to the receptionist. If you need to see a doctor urgently when the surgery is closed please phone the surgery on 01268 542866 and follow the instructions. You will be put through to the 111 service for out of hours. They will pass a message to the doctor on duty who may phone you to assess your problem. You might be asked to attend the out-of-hours clinic, or receive a home visit.

Calling NHS 111 offers free expert health information and advice 24 hours a day. It can advise you whether you need to go to the nearest A&E (accident and emergency) or if there is an alternative such as visiting an NHS walk-in centre. If English is not your preferred language, you can choose to use a confidential translation service.The nearest NHS minor injuries unit is located at Orsett hospital and they provide advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses and injuries. Please ring for their dates and times of opening.If you or someone else experiences severe chest pain, loss of blood or suspected broken bones, go to your nearest accident and emergency department or call 999.

Triage

The purpose of ‘triage’ is to ensure that all patients are dealt with fairly by an appropriate member of the team and to ensure that problems are dealt with urgently if necessary. Every morning we run a service for patients who request an urgent appointment. When you request such an appointment the receptionist will tell you the time to attend. You will be asked for your name, telephone number and a brief description of the problem. All staff adhere to strict terms of confidentiality. If your condition deteriorates you should telephone the surgery again or attend A&E (accident and emergency).

Why might it be difficult to get an appointment

The surgery is particularly busy on Mondays and Tuesdays especially during the winter months. If your appointment is not urgent, try to book on a less busy day after 10.30am. Last month 128 patients failed to turn up for their appointment. If you let us know as soon as possible you can't attend your appointment, we can then make it available for another patient. If we can’t offer you an immediate appointment, we may phone back to offer you a cancellation slot. You can book to have a telephone consultation with a doctor if you wish. He or she will ring you at an agreed time on the telephone number you have given. If you are only available on a mobile phone, you will be expected to ring the practice at the agreed time.

What if I can't get an appointment

The surgery is particularly busy on Mondays and Tuesdays especially during the winter months. If your appointment is not urgent, try to book on a less busy day after 10.30am. Last month 134 patients failed to turn up for their appointment. If you let us know as soon as possible you can't attend your appointment, we can then make it available for another patient. If we can’t offer you an immediate appointment, we may phone back to offer you a cancellation slot. You can book to have a telephone consultation with a doctor if you wish. He or she will ring you at an agreed time on the telephone number you have given. If you are only available on a mobile phone, you will be expected to ring the practice at the agreed time. You can now use the GP online service and a doctor will contact you within 2 days.

Routine appointments

If you need to book a routine follow-up appointment with a particular GP you can make an appointment up to two weeks in advance. Please phone after 10.30am to avoid busy times. Many routine appointments are for patients who have a long-term or chronic condition that needs monitoring on a regular basis. We will let you know when your next appointment is due with the practice nurse or doctor. If this time is not convenient, please telephone reception to re-arrange it. It is important to continue your regular check-ups, even if you are feeling well. Routine appointments are available during normal surgery hours with the practice nurse and/or doctor. We hold regular clinics for asthma, COPD, diabetes etc . Please see the ‘services and clinics’ section for the full list.

Same day appointments

We are a busy practice, and providing some same day appointments makes it easier for you to see a doctor quickly. 50% of our GP appointments are same day appointments. You can phone anytime from 8.00 am to 11.00 am for same day appointments only

How do I arrange a home visit

Our doctors typically see four patients at the practice in the time it takes to do a single home visit. For this reason, we ask our patients to come to the practice if at all possible. However, we can visit you at home if your condition means you cannot attend one of our premises.

Please ring the main switchboard before 11.30 am to arrange a visit.

Please be prepared to tell the receptionist about your condition so we can visit the most urgent cases first.

The doctor (or triage nurse) may wish to speak with you to see if it would be better for you to come to the surgery to be seen immediately. Home visits are normally made between 2 pm and 4 pm.